HITS

What HITS does

HITS LLC is a privately held equestrian events management company founded in 1982 and headquartered in Saugerties, New York. The company is the recognized premier producer of hunter/jumper and dressage horse shows in the United States, operating a network of six venues spanning Ocala (FL), Culpeper (VA), Chicago (IL), Hudson Valley (NY), Vermont, and Del Mar (CA). HITS produces over 100 weeks of USEF-rated and FEI-sanctioned competition annually, generating revenue through three primary streams: entry fees from competitors, tiered corporate sponsorships (Diamond through Bronze), and venue/facility services including stabling, rentals, photography, vendors, and merchandise. The company also runs The League presented by Marshall+Sterling Insurance, a grassroots competition program with approximately 1,300 horse shows and 2,500 riders that culminates in National Finals at Hudson Valley.

HITS's product portfolio centers on two core lines — Hunter/Jumper Shows and Dressage Shows — supported by venue-specific event series, The League program, the HITS Festival of the Horse multidiscipline format, and the HITS Insider venue guidebook. Supporting services include the Show Management System (an online platform for entries, scheduling, and results), premium VIP Experience and Barn Partnership hospitality tiers, HITS Jumps equipment and course design, and Facility Rental for private events. Technology is conventional event-management SaaS; the Show Management System integrates online entry, daily schedules, forms, and competitor portals but does not constitute a differentiated technology platform. The company is led by President and CEO Tom Struzzieri.

HITS serves three customer segments: competitive equestrian riders and trainers (the primary persona), horse owners, and corporate sponsors seeking access to a high-net-worth equestrian demographic. Go-to-market is event- and community-driven, leveraging venue participation, a circuit-based competition calendar that allows seasonal climate arbitrage, the Show Management System for direct entry, and content channels including HITS Insider guidebooks, social media, HITS.TV live streaming, and equestrian media partnerships. HITS is independently owned with no disclosed external investors or parent company.

Name

HITS

Legal name

HITS LLC

Website

https://hitsshows.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HITS is an equestrian events management company founded in 1982 that produces over 100 weeks of hunter/jumper and dressage competitions annually across six U.S. venues, serving competitive riders, trainers, horse owners, and corporate sponsors in the U.S. equestrian market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Event Management

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian Teams & Stables (Racing/Show Jumping/Eventing) (MPAKABAG)

Keywords

• Equestrian event management
• Horse show production
• Hunter jumper competitions
• Dressage competitions
• Equestrian venue operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Saugerties

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Entry Fees: Revenue generated from competitors paying entry fees to participate in horse shows across various rating levels (Regional, National, Premier, FEI)
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship revenue from Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tier partners including insurance companies, equine nutrition brands, and vehicle rental services
3. Venue and Facility Services: Revenue from stabling, facility rentals, vendors, photography services, and HITS merchandise

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HITS produces and manages top-level hunter, jumper, and dressage horse show competitions across six U.S. venues, delivering over 100 weeks of USEF-rated and FEI-sanctioned events annually. The company operates an integrated Show Management System for online entries and results, sponsors a national grassroots competition program (The League), and offers venue facility rentals, VIP hospitality, and jumping equipment services.

Product overview

HITS is the premier producer of hunter, jumper, and dressage horse shows in the United States. The company operates a multi-venue platform producing over 100 weeks of top-level competitions annually across six primary venues: HITS Ocala (Florida), HITS Culpeper (Virginia), HITS Chicago (Illinois), HITS Hudson Valley (New York), HITS Vermont, and HITS Del Mar (California). The portfolio includes two core product lines—Hunter/Jumper Shows and Dressage Shows—supported by event series at each venue, The League competition program, HITS Festival of the Horse, and HITS Insider venue guidebooks. Supporting services include Show Management System (online entry and results platform), VIP Experiences, Barn Partnership programs, HITS Jumps equipment, and Facility Rental. The company also hosts special events including The League National Finals and international CDI competitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The League presented by Marshall+Sterling Insurance: A goal-oriented competition program for riders of all levels offering approximately 25 classes with fences 2' to 3'6"

Products and services

• Hunter/Jumper Shows Top-level hunter/jumper competition produced across 6 venues, offering over 100 weeks of USEF-rated shows annually for competitive equestrian riders and trainers.
• Dressage Shows

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Alliant Private ClientcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAlliant Insurance Services' equine, farm, and ranch practice sponsors HITS with their Alliant Private Client Cup becoming a competition staple across HITS venues. Located throughout the country with 100+ private client professionals.
• Great American Insurance GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides equine mortality and major medical coverage for horses, as well as liability coverage. The 'Great American $1 Million Grand Prix' is the premier show jumping event of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and the second jewel in the HITS 'Triple Crown of Show Jumping.' Over 20 years of partnership.
• Marshall & Sterling InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the largest independent insurance agencies in the nation with Equisport Division specializing in equine insurance. Created 'The Marshall & Sterling Insurance League' grassroot competition program with over 1,300 horse shows and 2,500 riders.
• PurinacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMost innovative manufacturer of equine nutrition in America with over 100 years of experience. The '$100,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix' is the premier show jumping event at HITS-on-the-Hudson Summer Series in Saugerties, NY.
• Go RentalsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerElite car rental service tailored for equestrian enthusiasts with locations nationwide including HITS horse show venues. Family-owned business founded in 1995 by brothers Kaye and Kavous Gitibin.
• Core SpecialtymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialty insurance products for small to mid-sized companies with capital to take on risk. Offers equine mortality, property & casualty, general & professional liability, and farm/ranch programs.
• STX USA (Stephex)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSTX Vans are built on American-made chassis with European quality. Sponsors the STX Open Speed Series across all six HITS venues with generous weekly prize money. Provides the HITS horse ambulance (STX Van). National Leading Rider wins a six-month STX 2-Horse Van lease.
• Maria Mendelsohn/Douglas EllimanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports & entertainment and equestrian real estate sponsorship, supporting elite competition nationwide with commitment to excellence matching HITS's mission.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Adequan Global Dressage Festival: Major US winter dressage circuit held in Wellington FL. Directly comparable to HITS' Dressage at Del Mar and Dressage at Hudson Valley as a top-tier national and FEI CDI dressage operator.
• World Equestrian Center: Operates large-scale, year-round hunter/jumper and dressage venues in Ocala FL and Wilmington OH. Directly competes with HITS Ocala and HITS Chicago for elite competitors, trainers, and sponsor dollars at the same USEF and FEI rating levels.
• Wellington International (Winter Equestrian Festival): Runs the flagship WEF circuit in Wellington FL, the largest annual hunter/jumper and equitation event in the US. Competes head-to-head with HITS Ocala for winter-season competitors, prize money events, and FEI-rated competition.
• Tryon International Equestrian Center: Year-round equestrian resort in Mill Spring NC hosting hunter/jumpers, dressage, and eventing. Directly comparable to HITS venues in scope of disciplines, FEI events, and resort-style amenities.
• Desert International Horse Park: Coachella Valley CA venue hosting a major winter hunter/jumper and dressage circuit. Competes for West Coast competitors and FEI events against HITS Del Mar.
• Split Rock Jumping Tour: US-based show jumping tour hosting multi-week hunter/jumper events at premium venues. Operates at similar USEF National/Premier rating levels as HITS, targeting comparable competitor and sponsor segments.

Broad incumbents

• Longines Global Champions Tour: Global premium show jumping tour with city-center events in major markets (London, Paris, Rome, Shanghai). Comparable in operating FEI 5* events, multi-million euro purses, and aspirational sponsor portfolio, though international vs. HITS' US-centric footprint.
• Spruce Meadows: Iconic Calgary-based show jumping venue running summer and fall tournaments including the Spruce Meadows 'Masters.' Comparable as a long-standing, multi-week FEI-rated show jumping operator with signature Grand Prix events.

Others

• US Equestrian Federation (USEF): National governing body for equestrian sport in the US. Not a direct competitor but is the umbrella organization whose rating system underpins HITS' event classifications, pathways, and competitor base.
• FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale): International governing body for equestrian sport. Not a competitor but sanctions the CDI and FEI showjumping events that HITS hosts, providing the regulatory and competitive framework underlying HITS' premium offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HITSHorseShows
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbFt0X_EaWK79XqDpPaqQJw
• Facebookfacebook.com/hitsshows
• Instagraminstagram.com/hitshorseshows
• TikToktiktok.com/@hitshorseshows

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HITS